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Sucrose synthase (SUS, EC 2.4.1.13) is widely considered as a key enzyme involved in plant sucrose metabolism, and the gene family encoding different SUS isozymes has been identified and characterized in several plant species. However, to date scant information about the SUS genes is available in Litchi chinensis Sonn. Here, we identified five SUS genes in litchi. These LcSUSs shared high levels of similarity in both nucleotide and amino acid sequences. Their gene structure, phylogenetic relationships, and expression profiles were characterized. Gene structure analysis indicated that the LcSUSs have similar exon-intron structures. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the five members could be classified into three groups (LcSUS1 and LcSUS2 in SUS II, LcSUS4 and LcSUS5 in SUS III, and LcSUS3 in SUS I), demonstrating evolutionary conservation in the SUS family across litchi and other plant species. The expression levels of LcSUSs were investigated via real-time PCR in various tissues and different developmental stages of aril. For tissues and organs, LcSUSs exhibited distinct but partially redundant expression profiles in litchi, being predominantly expressed in young leaves (sink). During aril development, the expression pattern of LcSUS1 was consistent with the trend of sugar accumulation, indicating it may play important roles in determination of sink strength in aril. Moreover, transcript levels of LcSUS2, LcSUS4, and LcSUS5 varied between cultivars with different hexose/sucrose ratios, which may regulate the sugar composition in aril. Our results provide insights into physiological functions of SUS genes in litchi, especially roles in regulating sugar accumulation in aril.

Litchi chinensis Sonn is widely cultivated in subtropical regions and has an important economic value. A high-density genetic map is a valuable tool for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTL) and marker-assisted breeding programs. In this study, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based high-density linkage map was constructed by a genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) protocol using an F1 population of 178 progenies between two commercial litchi cultivars, ‘Ziniangxi’ (dwarf) and ‘Feizixiao’ (vigorous). The genetic map consisted of 3027 SNP markers with a total length of 1711.97 cM in 15 linkage groups (LGs) and an average marker distance of 0.57 cM. Based on this high-density linkage map and three years of phenotyping, a total of 37 QTLs were detected for eight dwarf-related traits, including length of new branch (LNB), diameter of new branch (DNB), length of common petiole (LCP), diameter of common petiole (DCP), length of internode (LI), length of single leaf (LSL), width of single leaf (WSL), and plant height (PH). These QTLs could explain 8.0 to 14.7% (mean=9.7%) of the phenotypic variation. Among them, several QTL clusters were observed, particularly on LG04 and LG11, which might show enrichment for genes regulating the dwarf-related traits in litchi. There were 126 candidate genes identified within the QTL regions, 55 of which are differentially expressed genes by RNA-seq analysis between ‘Ziniangxi’ and ‘Feizixiao’. These DEGs were found to participate in the regulation of cell development, material transportation, signal transduction, and plant morphogenesis, so they might play important roles in regulating plant dwarf-related traits. The high-density genetic map and QTLs identification related to dwarf traits can provide a valuable genetic resource and a basis for marker-assisted selection and genomic studies of litchi.

Background Litchi is a well-known subtropical fruit crop. However, irregular bearing attributed to unstable flowering is a major ongoing problem for the development of the litchi industry. In a previous study, our laboratory proved that litchi flowering was induced by low temperature and that a FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) homologue gene named LcFT1 played a pivotal role in this process. The present study aimed to understand the natural variation in FT among litchi germplasm resources and designed markers to verify easy- and difficult-flowering litchi germplasms. A grafting experiment was also carried out to explore whether it could shorten the seedling stage of litchi seedlings. Results Two types of LcFT1 promoter existed in different litchi germplasm resources, and we named them the ‘easy-flowering type of LcFT1 promoter’ and ‘difficult-flowering type of LcFT1 promoter’, which resulted in three different LcFT1 genotypes of litchi germplasm resources, including the homozygous easy-flowering type of the LcFT1 genotype, homozygous difficult-flowering type of the LcFT1 genotype and heterozygous LcFT1 genotype of litchi germplasm resources. The homozygous easy-flowering type of the LcFT1 genotype and heterozygous LcFT1 genotype of the litchi germplasm resources completed their floral induction more easily than the homozygous difficult-flowering type of the LcFT1 genotype of litchi germplasm resources. Herein, we designed two kinds of efficient molecular markers based on the difference in LcFT1 promoter sequences and applied them to identify of the easy- and difficult-flowering litchi germplasm resources. These two kinds of molecular markers were capable of clearly distinguishing the easy- from difficult-flowering litchi germplasm resources at the seedling stage and provided the same results. Meanwhile, grafting the scion of seedlings to the annual branches of adult litchi trees could significantly shorten the seedling stage. Conclusions Understanding the flowering characteristics of litchi germplasm resources is essential for easy-flowering litchi breeding. In the present study, molecular markers provide a rapid and accurate approach for identifying the flowering characteristics. The application of these molecular markers not only significantly shortened the artificial crossbreeding cycle of easy-flowering litchi cultivars but also greatly saved manpower, material resources and land.

The seeds of fruits which are thrown away as waste can be used in medicinal and therapeutic purposes. The goal of this investigation was to find out antibacterial and cytotoxic potentialities of crude acetone and ethanol extracts of seeds of four common summer fruits, purchased from Khulna region, Bangladesh: Litchi chinensis (Lychee), Phoenix dactylifera (Date Palm), Syzigum cumini (Black Plum) and Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit). Extracts were screened for their antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method, followed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determination by colorimetric broth macro dilution method and plating method. The highest antibacterial activity was found from acetone extract of S. cumini against Salmonella typhi where zone of inhibition was 19.67±0.27 mm along with MIC 0.0585 mg/ml and MBC 0.2344 mg/ml. Acetone extract of S. cumini was found to have bactericidal effect on all microorganisms except bacteriostatic on E. coli and S. paratyphi and ethanol extract showed bactericidal effect on all the microorganisms tested. The cytotoxic activity was determined by brine shrimp lethality assay. Among all seed samples, P. dactylifera exerted relatively better cytotoxicity where LC50 value is below 100 µg/ml. The rest of the samples showed relatively less toxicity as LC50 value more than 100 µg/ml. Among all the seed samples, S. cumini showed most potential antibacterial activity with less cytotoxicity. Overall, the findings of the study endorse antibacterial activity of examined seed extracts with moderate cytotoxic activity, suggesting the isolation of active compounds thorough bioassays. [ J Adv Biotechnol Exp Ther 2020; 3(3.000): 194-203]

Background Litchi chinensis Sonn. is an economically important fruit tree in tropical and subtropical regions. However, litchi functional genomics is severely hindered due to its recalcitrance to regeneration and stable transformation. Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated hairy root transgenic system provide an alternative to study functional genomics in woody plants. However, the hairy root transgenic system has not been established in litchi. Results In this study, we report a rapid and highly efficient A. rhizogenes-mediated co-transformation system in L. chinensis using Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) gene as a marker. Both leaf discs and stem segments of L. chinensis cv. ‘Fenhongguiwei’ seedlings were able to induce transgenic hairy roots. The optimal procedure involved the use of stem segments as explants, infection by A. rhizogenes strain MSU440 at optical density (OD600) of 0.7 for 10 min and co-cultivation for 3 days, with a co-transformation efficiency of 9.33%. Furthermore, the hairy root transgenic system was successfully used to validate the function of the key anthocyanin regulatory gene LcMYB1 in litchi. Over-expression of LcMYB1 produced red hairy roots, which accumulated higher contents of anthocyanins, proanthocyanins, and flavonols. Additionally, the genes involving in the flavonoid pathway were strongly activated in the red hairy roots. Conclusion We first established a rapid and efficient transformation system for the study of gene function in hairy roots of litchi using A. rhizogenes strain MSU440 by optimizing parameters. This hairy root transgenic system was effective for gene function analysis in litchi using the key anthocyanin regulator gene LcMYB1 as an example.

Background SWEETs (Sugar Will Eventually be Exported transporters) function as sugar efflux transporters that perform diverse physiological functions, including phloem loading, nectar secretion, seed filling, and pathogen nutrition. The SWEET gene family has been identified and characterized in a number of plant species, but little is known about in Litchi chinensis, which is an important evergreen fruit crop. Results In this study, 16 LcSWEET genes were identified and nominated according to its homologous genes in Arabidopsis and grapevine. Multiple sequence alignment showed that the 7 alpha-helical transmembrane domains (7-TMs) were basically conserved in LcSWEETs. The LcSWEETs were divided into four clades (Clade I to Clade IV) by phylogenetic tree analysis. A total of 8 predicted motifs were detected in the litchi LcSWEET genes. The 16 LcSWEET genes were unevenly distributed in 9 chromosomes and there was one pairs of segmental duplicated events by synteny analysis. The expression patterns of the 16 LcSWEET genes showed higher expression levels in reproductive organs. The temporal and spatial expression patterns of LcSWEET2a and LcSWEET3b indicated they play central roles during early seed development. Conclusions The litchi genome contained 16 SWEET genes, and most of the genes were expressed in different tissues. Gene expression suggested that LcSWEETs played important roles in the growth and development of litchi fruits. Genes that regulate early seed development were preliminarily identified. This work provides a comprehensive understanding of the SWEET gene family in litchi, laying a strong foundation for further functional studies of LcSWEET genes and improvement of litchi fruits.

In recent years, the cultivation of tropical fruit crops has increased in the Mediterranean basin, especially in southern Italy. In surveys conducted from 2014 to 2019 woody canker and shoot blight were observed on mango plants (cvs. Kent, Keitt, Sensation, Osteen, and Kensington Pride) and litchi plants (cvs. Way Chee and Kwai Mai Pink) cultivated in Sicily. Botryosphaeriaceae and Diaporthaceae were consistently isolated from symptomatic samples. Morphological characterization and multi-locus phylogenies using three genomic loci (a portion of translation elongation factor 1-α gene, a portion of the β-tubulin gene, and an internal transcribed spacer) identified these fungi as Neofusicoccum parvum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diaporthe foeniculina, and Diaporthe baccae on mango and Diaporthe foeniculina and Diaporthe rudis on litchi. Pathogenicity tests on healthy mango (cv. Kensington Pride) and litchi (cv. Way Chee) plants demonstrated the pathogenicity of the isolates used in the study, and Koch’s postulates were fulfilled for all pathogens. To our knowledge, this is the first report of L. theobromae, B. dothidea, and Diaporthe species on mango in Italy and the first report worldwide of woody canker and shoot blight caused by D. foeniculina and D. rudis on litchi plants.

We report the involvement of quebrachitol in photosynthate transport and stress response, and characterize an inositol methyltransferase gene involved in the biosynthesis of bornesitol, the methylated intermediate of quebrachitol., Although methylated cyclitols constitute a major proportion of the carbohydrates in many plant species, their physiological roles and biosynthetic pathway are largely unknown. Quebrachitol (2-O-methyl-chiro-inositol) is one of the major methylated cyclitols in some plant species. In litchi, quebrachitol represents approximately 50% of soluble sugars in mature leaves and 40% of the total sugars in phloem exudate. In the present study, we identified bornesitol as a transient methylated intermediate of quebrachitol and measured the concentrations of methyl-inositols in different tissues and in tissues subjected to different treatments. 14CO2 feeding and phloem exudate experiments demonstrated that quebrachitol is one of the transportable photosynthates. In contrast to other plant species, the biosynthesis of quebrachitol in litchi is not associated with osmotic stress. High quebrachitol concentrations in tissues of the woody plant litchi might represent a unique carbon metabolic strategy that maintains osmolality under reduced-sucrose conditions. The presence of bornesitol but not ononitol in the leaves indicates a different biosynthetic pathway with pinitol. The biosynthesis of quebrachitol involves the methylation of myo-inositol and the subsequent epimerization of bornesitol. An inositol methyltransferase gene (LcIMT1) responsible for bornesitol biosynthesis was isolated and characterized for the first time, and the biosynthesis pathways of methyl-inositols are discussed.

Background Maturation of litchi (Litchi chinensis) fruit is characterized by dramatic changes in pigments in the pericarp and flavor compounds in the aril. Among them, the biosynthesis of anthocyanins is most noticeable. Previous studies showed that LcMYB1 and LcbHLH transcription factors participated in regulating the anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi. However, the roles of other MYB factors remain unclear. Results In this study, we cloned and characterized the function of LcMYB5, a novel R2R3-MYB identified from litchi transcriptome. Although LcMYB5 was constitutively expressed in litchi tissues and its expressions was not correlated with tissue coloration, overexpression of LcMYB5 resulted in enhanced biosynthesis of anthocyanins in tobacco and petunia concurrent with the up-regulation of their endogenous bHLHs and key structural genes in anthocyanin precursor biosynthesis. These results indicate that LcMYB5 is an R2R3 transcriptional factor regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis either by directly activating the expression of key structural genes such as DFR or by indirectly up regulating the expressions of endogenous bHLH regulators. More interestingly, the pH values in petals and leaves from transgenic lines were significant lower than those in both untransformed tobacco and petunia, indicating LcMYB5 is also associated with pH regulation. The expressions of LcMYB5 and its bHLH partner LcbHLH1 were consistent with the expression of putative tissue acidification gene LcPH1, and the changes in malic acid provided further evidence for the close relationship between LcMYB5 and tissue acidification. Conclusions Taking together, our study indicated that LcMYB5 is involved in not only anthocyanin biosynthesis but also tissue acidification. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12870-019-1658-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is an important subtropical fruit in southern China and the fruit pericarp has attractive red skin at maturity, which is provided by anthocyanins accumulation. To understand the anthocyanin biosynthesis at post-transcriptional level, we investigated the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) during fruit coloring. In the present study, four small RNA libraries and a mixed degradome library from pericarps of ‘Feizixiao’ litchi at different developmental phases were constructed and sequenced by Solexa technology. A total of 78 conserved miRNAs belonging to 35 miRNA families and 41 novel miRNAs were identified via high-throughput sequencing, and 129 genes were identified as their targets by the recently developed degradome sequencing. miR156a and a novel microRNA (NEW41) were found to be differentially expressed during fruit coloring, indicating they might affect anthocyanin biosynthesis through their target genes in litchi. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression changes of miR156a and the novel microRNA (NEW41) were inversely correlated with the expression profiles of their target genes LcSPL1/2 and LcCHI, respectively, suggesting regulatory roles of these miRNAs during anthocyanin biosynthesis. The target genes of miR156a, LcSPL1/2, encode transcription factors, as evidenced by a localization in the nucleus, that might play roles in the regulation of transcription. To further explore the relationship of LcSPL1/2 with the anthocyanin regulatory genes, yeast two-hybrid and BiFC analyses showed that LcSPL1 proteins could interact with LcMYB1, which is the key regulatory gene in anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi. This study represents a comprehensive expression profiling of miRNAs in anthocyanin biosynthesis during litchi fruit maturity and confirmed that the miR156- SPLs module was conserved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi.

Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is an important subtropical fruit in southern China and the fruit pericarp has attractive red skin at maturity, which is provided by anthocyanins accumulation. To understand the anthocyanin biosynthesis at post-transcriptional level, we investigated the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) during fruit coloring. In the present study, four small RNA libraries and a mixed degradome library from pericarps of ‘Feizixiao’ litchi at different developmental phases were constructed and sequenced by Solexa technology. A total of 78 conserved miRNAs belonging to 35 miRNA families and 41 novel miRNAs were identified via high-throughput sequencing, and 129 genes were identified as their targets by the recently developed degradome sequencing. miR156a and a novel microRNA (NEW41) were found to be differentially expressed during fruit coloring, indicating they might affect anthocyanin biosynthesis through their target genes in litchi. qRT-PCR analysis confirmed the expression changes of miR156a and the novel microRNA (NEW41) were inversely correlated with the expression profiles of their target genes LcSPL1/2 and LcCHI, respectively, suggesting regulatory roles of these miRNAs during anthocyanin biosynthesis. The target genes of miR156a, LcSPL1/2, encode transcription factors, as evidenced by a localization in the nucleus, that might play roles in the regulation of transcription. To further explore the relationship of LcSPL1/2 with the anthocyanin regulatory genes, yeast two-hybrid and BiFC analyses showed that LcSPL1 proteins could interact with LcMYB1, which is the key regulatory gene in anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi. This study represents a comprehensive expression profiling of miRNAs in anthocyanin biosynthesis during litchi fruit maturity and confirmed that the miR156- SPLs module was conserved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in litchi.

A lichieira (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) é uma planta da família das Sapindáceas, perfeitamente adaptada às condições climáticas brasileiras e pouco estudada quanto à composição química de seus frutos, sobretudo das frações casca e semente, frequentemente descartadas pela indústria e consumidores. Objetivou-se com este trabalho determinar os constituintes químicos das frações casca, polpa e semente in natura, e da casca e semente submetidas à secagem a 45ºC. Cada fração foi avaliada em sete repetições (de 20 frutos), quanto à massa e à proporção de cada fração em relação ao fruto inteiro, à composição centesimal, ao valor energético total (VET) e aos parâmetros químicos e fisico-químicos: sólidos solúveis, pH e acidez titulável. As frações casca e semente de lichia, juntas, representam cerca de 50% da massa do fruto. A casca e a semente da lichia apresentam elevados VETs e teores de carboidratos. A casca possui os maiores teores de fibra (bruta e alimentar), lipídeos, cinzas e proteínas, e a polpa apresenta maior acidez, menor pH e maiores teores de sólidos solúveis. A secagem aumentou o pH da semente e os teores de sólidos solúveis da casca e semente. As frações de lichia apresentaram elevados potenciais energéticos e nutricionais, podendo ser aproveitadas como fonte alternativa de nutrientes, desde que não apresentem fatores antinutricionais em quantidades prejudiciais ao organismo. The litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a plant of the family Sapindacea, perfectly adapted to Brazilian climatic conditions and little studied in relation to the chemical composition of its fruits, especially the skin and seed fractions which are usually discarded by industry and consumers. The aim of this work was to determine the chemical constituents of the fresh fractions of the skin, pulp and seed, and of the drying fractions of the seed and skin at 45°C. Each fraction was evaluated in seven replicates (20 fruits), in which the weight and the proportion of each fraction, centesimal composition, total energy value (TEV), soluble solids, pH and titratable acidity. The skin and seed fractions of litchi together represent almost 50% of the weight of the fruit and have high levels of carbohydrates and TEV. The skin has the highest fiber content (crude and food), lipids, ash and protein. The pulp has higher acidity, lower pH and higher soluble solids content. The drying process increased the pH of the seed and the soluble solids content in the skin and seed. The litchi fractions have high energetic and nutritional levels, they can be utilized as an alternative source of nutrients as long as they do not have antinutritional factors in quantities that might be harmful to the body.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:48:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452011000500048.pdf: 1938988 bytes, checksum: 19ec791959fcee98c8b7392e2628820e (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:48:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452011000500048.pdf: 1938988 bytes, checksum: 19ec791959fcee98c8b7392e2628820e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:00:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452011000500048.pdf: 1938988 bytes, checksum: 19ec791959fcee98c8b7392e2628820e (MD5) S0100-29452011000500048.pdf.txt: 24362 bytes, checksum: 00045032930c567fefb9fa6e77235a55 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:17:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452011000500048.pdf: 1938988 bytes, checksum: 19ec791959fcee98c8b7392e2628820e (MD5) S0100-29452011000500048.pdf.txt: 24362 bytes, checksum: 00045032930c567fefb9fa6e77235a55 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:17:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452011000500048.pdf: 1938988 bytes, checksum: 19ec791959fcee98c8b7392e2628820e (MD5) S0100-29452011000500048.pdf.txt: 24362 bytes, checksum: 00045032930c567fefb9fa6e77235a55 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-10-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Objetivou-se avaliar a efetividade da atmosfera modificada, através de embalagens plásticas e coberturas de quitosana, na conservação pós-colheita de lichias. O delineamento estatístico foi o inteiramente casualizado, disposto em esquema fatorial 5 x 7, com 3 repetições, onde o primeiro fator corresponde aos tratamentos: Testemunha; Bandejas rígidas de poliestireno revestidas com filme poliolefínico de 0,015mm (PD955); Bandejas rígidas de polietileno tereftalato (PET); Bandejas de poliestireno recobertas com filme de cloreto de polivinila (PVC) de 0,014mm; e Imersão em quitosana a 0,5%. O segundo fator foi o tempo de armazenamento, 0 (inicial); 4; 8; 12; 16; 20 e 24 dias, a 5 ºC (94 %UR). Cada parcela foi composta por 8 frutos, sendo que os tratados com quitosana foram contidos em bandejas rígidas de poliestireno, sem filme. Os resultados obtidos permitiram concluir que a proteção com filmes plásticos reduziu significativamente a perda de massa por lichias mantidas sob refrigeração, com redução na intensidade do escurecimento dos frutos. O tratamento com quitosana a 0,5%, em ácido tartárico a 10%, pH 0,8, mostrou-se efetivo na manutenção da coloração vermelha e na prevenção ao escurecimento, conservando a aparência dos frutos. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified atmosphere, by the use of plastic covers packaging and chitosan coverage in lychee postharvest storage. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial 5 x 7, with 3 replications, where the first factor corresponds to the treatments: control; rigid polystyrene trays (22.4cm x 14.8cm) coated with a 0.015mm (PD955) polyolefin film (PF); 500ml transparent rigid polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays with lid; polystyrene trays covered with 0.014mm polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film; and immersion in 0.5% chitosan. The second factor was the storage time, 0 (initial), 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 days at 5 ° C, 94% RH. Each plot consisted of eight fruits, and those treated with chitosan were placed in rigid polystyrene trays without film. The results showed that the modified atmosphere reduced significantly the mass loss of fruits stored under refrigeration, especially with PVC film. Chitosan 0.5% proved to be more effective in maintaining the red color and preventing browning, keeping the fruits more attractive. UESB UNESP FCAV Departamento de Tecnologia UNESP FCAV Departamento de Tecnologia

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:48:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452011000200008.pdf: 432578 bytes, checksum: 6155a9a58190da5fad200ced34005eaf (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:48:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452011000200008.pdf: 432578 bytes, checksum: 6155a9a58190da5fad200ced34005eaf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T18:00:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452011000200008.pdf: 432578 bytes, checksum: 6155a9a58190da5fad200ced34005eaf (MD5) S0100-29452011000200008.pdf.txt: 28463 bytes, checksum: fb74334c4def259d7e55c5f63975ecee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:17:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452011000200008.pdf: 432578 bytes, checksum: 6155a9a58190da5fad200ced34005eaf (MD5) S0100-29452011000200008.pdf.txt: 28463 bytes, checksum: fb74334c4def259d7e55c5f63975ecee (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:17:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452011000200008.pdf: 432578 bytes, checksum: 6155a9a58190da5fad200ced34005eaf (MD5) S0100-29452011000200008.pdf.txt: 28463 bytes, checksum: fb74334c4def259d7e55c5f63975ecee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Um dos maiores problemas na pós-colheita da lichia é o escurecimento do pericarpo, cuja cor vermelha se torna totalmente escurecida em 48 horas, sob 25 ºC. Tecnologias que possam controlar o escurecimento do pericarpo são valiosas, e é o foco principal da pesquisa na área de pós-colheita. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a vida útil de lichias 'Bengal', armazenadas a 20 ºC e 82 %UR após o tratamento hidrotérmico e/ou imersão em solução de HCl. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4 x 7, com 3 repetições, onde o primeiro fator correspondeu aos tratamentos: testemunha; imersão em HCl a 1%, por 6 minutos; tratamento hidrotérmico, com imersão em água a 52 ºC por 1 minuto, seguido de resfriamento em água a 10 ºC, por 6 minutos; e tratamento hidrotérmico, seguido de resfriamento em HCl a 1%, a 10 ºC, por 6 minutos. O segundo fator foram os períodos de armazenamento: 0; 1; 2; 3;6; 9 e 12 dias. A combinação entre tratamento hidrotérmico (52 ºC por 1 minuto) e resfriamento em HCl a 1% permite conservar a coloração das lichias 'Bengal' por até dois dias. Mesmo assim há escurecimento em 25% da superfície. One of the biggest problems in postharvest litchi pericarp browning is, the color red becomes totally dark in 48 hours at 25 º C. Technologies that can control the browning of the pericarp are valuable, and is the main focus of research in post-harvest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the shelf life of lychee 'Bengal', stored at 20 ° C and 82% RH after the hydrothermal treatment and/or immersion in HCl solution. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 4 x 7, with three replications, where the first factor was the treatment: control, immersion in HCl 1%, for 6 minutes; hydrothermal treatment, soaking in water at 52 ° C for 1 minutes, followed by immersion in water at 10 º C for 6 minutes, and hydrothermal treatment and subsequent cooling in 1% HCl, 10 ° C for 6 minutes. The second factor was the storage periods: 0, 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days. The combination of hydrothermal treatment (52 ° C for 1 min) and cooling in HCl 1% allowed to retain the color of lychee 'Bengal' for up to two days. Yet there are browning in 25% of the surface. UNESP FCAV Departamento de Tecnologia UNESP FCAV Departamento de Tecnologia

Ackee (Blighia sapida, Sapindaceae) is a multipurpose fruit tree species of high economic importance, native to the Guinean forests of West Africa, and belongs to the same family as that of lychee (Litchi chinensis). In this study, a set of 12 primer pairs for simple sequence repeats (SSRs) previously developed for lychee has been evaluated for polymorphism in 16 ackee trees from different populations. Seven primer pairs have been found to be transferable, and four have revealed polymorphisms. However, the average number of alleles per locus has dropped from 4.9 for lychee to 3.7 for ackee. Characterization of the four polymorphic markers in 279 individuals belonging to14 different ackee populations from Benin has revealed that the numbers of alleles per locus range from two to 14 with a mean number of 5.8. The observed and expected heterozygosities range between 0.020 to 0.359 and 0.020 to 0.396, respectively. peerReviewed

Anthocyanin biosynthesis requires the MYB-bHLH-WD40 protein complex to activate the late biosynthetic genes. LcMYB1 was thought to act as key regulator in anthocyanin biosynthesis of litchi. However, basic helix-loop-helix proteins (bHLHs) as partners have not been identified yet. The present study describes the functional characterization of three litchi bHLH candidate anthocyanin regulators, LcbHLH1, LcbHLH2, and LcbHLH3. Although these three litchi bHLHs phylogenetically clustered with bHLH proteins involved in anthcoyanin biosynthesis in other plant, only LcbHLH1 and LcbHLH3 were found to localize in the nucleus and physically interact with LcMYB1. The transcription levels of all these bHLHs were not coordinated with anthocyanin accumulation in different tissues and during development. However, when co-infiltrated with LcMYB1, both LcbHLH1 and LcbHLH3 enhanced anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves with LcbHLH3 being the best inducer. Significant accumulation of anthocyanins in leaves transformed with the combination of LcMYB1 and LcbHLH3 were noticed, and this was associated with the up-regulation of two tobacco endogenous bHLH regulators, NtAn1a and NtAn1b, and late structural genes, like NtDFR and NtANS. Significant activity of the ANS promoter was observed in transient expression assays either with LcMYB1-LcbHLH1 or LcMYB1-LcbHLH3, while only minute activity was detected after transformation with only LcMYB1. In contrast, no activity was measured after induction with the combination of LcbHLH2 and LcMYB1. Higher DFR expression was also oberseved in paralleling with higher anthocyanins in co-transformed lines. LcbHLH1 and LcbHLH3 are essential partner of LcMYB1 in regulating the anthocyanin production in tobacco and probably also in litchi. The LcMYB1-LcbHLH complex enhanced anthocyanin accumulation may associate with activating the transcription of DFR and ANS.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:47:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452006000100007.pdf: 161593 bytes, checksum: 45be415cf4115625c1c3438622ef2e4a (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:47:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452006000100007.pdf: 161593 bytes, checksum: 45be415cf4115625c1c3438622ef2e4a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:57:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452006000100007.pdf: 161593 bytes, checksum: 45be415cf4115625c1c3438622ef2e4a (MD5) S0100-29452006000100007.pdf.txt: 20658 bytes, checksum: 8716382521c6e67c03c48d239991a3de (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:16:44Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452006000100007.pdf: 161593 bytes, checksum: 45be415cf4115625c1c3438622ef2e4a (MD5) S0100-29452006000100007.pdf.txt: 20658 bytes, checksum: 8716382521c6e67c03c48d239991a3de (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:16:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452006000100007.pdf: 161593 bytes, checksum: 45be415cf4115625c1c3438622ef2e4a (MD5) S0100-29452006000100007.pdf.txt: 20658 bytes, checksum: 8716382521c6e67c03c48d239991a3de (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-04-01 Avaliou-se o efeito do anelamento de ramos sobre o florescimento e frutificação de lichieiras 'Bengal' com 17 anos de idade. Os tratamentos constaram de anelamento em ramos ou pernadas principais e ramos de 6; 4 e 2 cm de diâmetro, além do controle. O delineamento utilizado foi em blocos casualizados, com cinco repetições. As avaliações quanto à floração foram: percentagem de floração e comprimento de inflorescências por quadrante e árvore; quanto à frutificação, avaliaram-se: vingamento de frutos maduros por panícula, massa, diâmetros longitudinal e equatorial dos frutos, sólidos solúveis totais, época de colheita e rendimento. O anelamento nos ramos principais induziu maior florescimento, sem alterar as características das inflorescências; não houve diferenças no vingamento de frutos, mas o aumento na floração incrementou o rendimento por árvore, com significativa antecipação da colheita. The effects of girdling of branches on flowering and fruiting of 17 years old 'Bengal' lychee trees were evaluated. The treatments consisted of girdling of main branches, and branches with 6, 4 and 2 cm of diameter and the control. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 5 replicates. The evaluations in relation to flowering were: flowering per tree and per quadrant and length of flower panicles; in relation to fruiting were: fruit set per panicle, fruit weight, longitudinal and equatorial diameters, soluble solids, harvest time and production. The girdling in the main branches induced larger flowering, without influence on the flower panicles characteristics, there were no differences in the fruit set, but with an increasing in the flowering, it increased the production, with significant anticipation of the harvest. UNESP FCAV Departamento de Produção Vegetal UNESP FCAV Departamento de Produção Vegetal

Estudaram-se oito tratamentos quanto à eficiência de banhos hidrotérmicos com ou sem adição de produtos químicos na conservação da qualidade de lichias acondicionadas em bandejas de PET com tampa (BT) e cobertas com filme de PVC de 15 µm (BF), sendo submetidas a banhos hidrotérmicos, tais como:T1-BT e T2-BF - sem tratamento; T3-BT- água a 55ºC por 20 s; T4-BF- água a 55ºC por 20 s; T5-BT- água a 55ºC por 10 s e em ácido cítrico 60% por 10 s; T6-BF- água a 55ºC por 10 s e banho de ácido cítrico 60% por 10 s ; T7-BT- ácido cítrico 60% por 20 s; T8-BF-ácido cítrico 60% por 20 s. Avaliaram-se as principais alterações físicas, químicas, sensoriais e presença de doença em lichias armazenadas a 4ºC e a 25ºC. De forma geral, ao final do estudo, as lichias ficaram ligeiramente menos ácidas, com leve aumento no pH e com discreta redução de sólidos solúveis, e após dois dias a 25ºC todos os tratamentos apresentaram infestação por fungos.Os tratamentos T5, T6, T7 e T8 foram considerados inaceitáveis (>4) a partir de 15 dias; T1, T2, T3 e T4 aceitáveis até 21 dias, pela avaliação visual. Quanto à manutenção da cor vermelha, os melhores tratamentos foram T1 e T4. O tratamento T2 apresentou os maiores valores de firmeza da casca, mostrando que o filme de PVC protegeu contra a perda de firmeza, de umidade e ao murchamento. A menor perda de massa foi nos tratamentos T6 e T8 (0,4%), ambos com filme de PVC, e a maior perda de massa foi nas amostras T5 (5,6%) acondicionadas nas bandejas perfuradas, além de apresentar menor firmeza na casca. Litchi fruits cv. Bengal were submitted to hydrothermal treatments and packed in PET trays with lid (BT) and covered with PVC film 15µm (BF). The treatments were : T1-BT- and T2-BF without hydrothermal treatment; T3-BT-water at 55 º C for 20s, T4-BF-water at 55ºC for 20s, T5-BT-water at 55º C for 10s plus citric acid 60% for 10s, T6-BF-water at 55ºC for 10s plus citric acid 60% for 10s, T7-BT- citric acid 60% for 20s and T8-BF- citric acid 60% for 20s. Changes in the main physical, chemical and sensory characteristics and the presence of disease in litchi stored at 4ºC and 25ºC were evaluated. At the end of the study, litchi fruits were slightly less acid, with a slight increase in pH and a slight reduction of the soluble solids content. After two days at 25ºC all fruits were infected by molds. The treatments T5, T6, T7, T8 were considered unacceptable (score > 4) from the 15th day, T1, T2, T3 and T4 were acceptable up to 21 days by visual assessment. The treatments T1 and T4 resulted in the best red color. Treatment T2 had the highest values of firmness of the pericarp, showing that the PVC film protected against loss of firmness, moisture and wilting. The weight loss was lower for the treatments T6 and T8 (0.4%) both with PVC film, and more than T5 (5.6%) with PET tray with lid.

A tannin extract was isolated from freeze-dried litchi pericarp (Litchi chinensis). HPLC analysis, after thioacidolysis reaction, revealed that this tannin fraction consisted of epicatechin units linked by both A- and B-type interflavonoid bonds. The calculated average degree of polymerization, considering the presence of A-type linkages, was 6.4. Characterization of oligomeric and polymeric procyanidins was performed using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Numerous oligomers containing one or more A-type interflavanoid linkages were detected. A regular repartition of the number of A-type linkages for each polymer length (e.g. from 2 to 7 for DP17 with mostly 4 A-type linkages) was observed. The average number of A-type linkages also increased with the DP, the predominant species containing one A-type linkage (denoted 1A) from DP2 to 5, 2A from DP6 to 10, 3A from DP11 to 15 and 4A from DP16 to 20. The highest DP was estimated at 22, with predominantly 5–6 A-type interflavanoid linkages.

Plants remain a vital source of drugs and at present, much emphasis is given to nutraceuticals. Herbal medicines have been the basis of treatment and cure for various diseases and physiological conditions in the traditional methods practiced such as ayurveda and homeopathy. Litchi chinensis belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is well-known in the Indian traditional system for its traditional uses. The parts of the plant used are leaves, flowers, fruits, seed, pulp, and pericarp. All parts of the plant are rich sources of phytochemicals--epicatechin; procyanidin A2 and procyanidin B2; leucocyanidin; cyanidin glycoside, malvidin glycoside, and saponins; butylated hydroxytoluene; isolariciresinol; kaempferol; rutin; and stigmasterol. In the present review, we explore the lychee's description, traditional medicinal uses, and phytoconstituents, and investigate the pharmacological activities in various parts of the lychee to show its importance in ethanopharmacology. This is so that this review can serve as a ready-to-use material for further research on the plant.

O ácaro-da-erinose-da-lichia, Aceria litchii (Keifer), é relatado pela primeira vez no Brasil, na região central do Estado de São Paulo, causando dano severo a folhas e frutos jovens. Esta espécie era citada como praga quarentenária A1 para o Brasil. The litchi erinose mite, Aceria litchii, is reported for the first time in Brazil in the central region of the State of São Paulo, causing severe damage to newly developed leaves and fruits. This species was listed as an A1 quarantine pest in Brazil.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:48:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452010000100010.pdf: 353973 bytes, checksum: e001e3536d9a0d3d7755124c1ca2f805 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:48:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452010000100010.pdf: 353973 bytes, checksum: e001e3536d9a0d3d7755124c1ca2f805 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:44:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452010000100010.pdf: 353973 bytes, checksum: e001e3536d9a0d3d7755124c1ca2f805 (MD5) S0100-29452010000100010.pdf.txt: 21783 bytes, checksum: 039276103cf49a79fb2cd4d1452f1c62 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:19:41Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452010000100010.pdf: 353973 bytes, checksum: e001e3536d9a0d3d7755124c1ca2f805 (MD5) S0100-29452010000100010.pdf.txt: 21783 bytes, checksum: 039276103cf49a79fb2cd4d1452f1c62 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:19:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452010000100010.pdf: 353973 bytes, checksum: e001e3536d9a0d3d7755124c1ca2f805 (MD5) S0100-29452010000100010.pdf.txt: 21783 bytes, checksum: 039276103cf49a79fb2cd4d1452f1c62 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-03-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a influência do tratamento térmico na coloração de frutos de lichia. Os frutos foram tratados por 0; 5; 10; 15; 20 e 25 minutos de imersão em água a 45ºC, embalados em bandejas de poliestireno expandido e filme de policloreto de vinila 0,020mm e armazenados em B.O.D. a 5ºC e 90±5 % de UR. O delineamento experimental foi em esquema inteiramente casualizado, com 6 tempos de armazenamento para as análises de coloração e enzimática, e até atingirem o limite de comercialização para a análise da vida útil, sendo os frutos analisados a cada 3 dias, com 3 repetições e 10 frutos por unidade experimental. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: análise visual do escurecimento, coloração e atividade específica da polifenol oxidase e da peroxidase. Os tratamentos usando 5 e 10 minutos de imersão foram os que apresentaram melhores resultados na manutenção da coloração dos frutos e na diminuição da atividade enzimática. The objective of the work was to evaluate the influence of the thermal treatment in the color of lychee fruits. The fruits were treated by 0; 5; 10; 15; 20 and 25 minutes of water immersion at 45ºC, packaged in expanded polystyrene trays and film of polyvinyl chloride 0.020mm, stored in B.O.D. at 5ºC and 90±5 % of UR. The experimental delineation was in a completely randomized scheme, with 6 times of storage for the color and enzymatic analysis, until they reached the limit for the marketing for the analysis of the shelf-life, and the fruits were analyzed every 3 days, with 3 replications and 10 fruits in each experimental unity. The evaluated parameters were: visual analysis of the browning, color and specific activity of the polyphenol oxidase and the peroxidase. The treatments using 5 and 10 minutes of immersion showed the best results in maintaining the color of the fruits and in the reduction of the enzymatic activity. UNESP FCA Departamento de Produção Vegetal - Horticultura UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Química e Bioquímica UNESP FCA Departamento de Produção Vegetal - Horticultura UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de Química e Bioquímica

Drought has dramatic negative effects on plants? growth and crop productivity. Although some of the responses and underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, there is increasing evidence that drought may have a negative effect on photosynthetic capacity. Biochemical models of leaf photosynthesis coupled with models of radiation transfer have been widely used in ecophysiological studies, and, more recently, in global change modeling. They are based on two fundamental relationships at the scale of the leaf: (i) nitrogen content-light exposure and (ii) photosynthetic capacity nitrogen content. Although drought is expected to increase in many places across the world, such models are not adapted to drought conditions. More specifically, the effects of drought on the two fundamental relationships are not well documented. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of a long-term drought imposed slowly on the nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity of leaves similarly exposed to light, from 3-year-old lychee trees cv. Kwai Mi. Leaf nitrogen and non-structural carbohydrate concentrations were measured along with gas exchanges and the light-saturated rate of photosynthetic electron transport (Jmax) after a 5.5-month-long period of drought. Leaf nitrogen content on a mass basis remained stable, while the leaf mass-to-area ratio (LMA) increased with increasing water stress. Consequently, the leaf nitrogen content on an area basis (Na) increased in a non-linear fashion. The starch content decreased, while the soluble sugar content increased. Stomata closed and net assimilation decreased to zero, while Jmax and the ratio Jmax/Na decreased with increasing water stress. The drought-associated decrease in photosynthetic capacity can be attributed to downregulation of photosynthetic electron transport and to reallocation of leaf nitrogen content. It is concluded that modeling photosynthesis in drought conditions will require, first, the modeling of the effect of drought on LMA and Jmax. (Resume d'auteur)

Estudou-se o desenvolvimento do fruto da lichieira (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) 'Bengal'. Realizaram-se amostragens semanais, com início aos 35 dias após a antese e término no início da senescência dos frutos. A partir do 77º dia após a antese, os frutos foram decompostos em pericarpo, semente e arilo. A antese ocorreu na primeira semana de setembro. Foram ajustados modelos sigmoidais simples para acúmulo de matéria seca, comprimento e diâmetro. Para o acúmulo de matéria seca, uma fase inicial, de crescimento lento, prolongou-se até o 63º dia após a antese e coincidiu com um período de intensa queda natural de frutos. Do 63º ao 98º dia após a antese, houve uma fase de rápido acúmulo de matéria seca. Até o 77º dia, pericarpo e semente foram os principais responsáveis pelo acúmulo de matéria seca. Oitenta e oito por cento do comprimento e 65% do diâmetro máximos foram atingidos nesse período. Do 84º ao 98º dia após a antese, o desenvolvimento do fruto foi determinado basicamente pelo arilo. As dimensões e a matéria seca do fruto estabilizaram-se a partir do 98º dia após a antese. O ponto de colheita comercial dos frutos, caracterizado pela coloração avermelhada do pericarpo, ocorreu a partir do 112º dia após a antese. Verificou-se um quadro senescente nos frutos a partir do 119º dia após a antese. It was studied the fruit development in 'Bengal' litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.). The samples were taken weekly 35 days after anthesis until the beginning of fruit senescence. From the 77th day after anthesis, fruits were decomposed in pericarp, aril and seed. Anthesis occurred in the first week of September. The fruit dry matter, length and diameter followed a single-sigmoid pattern. For dry matter accumulation, an initial phase, of slow growth, ended the 63rd day after anthesis and was coincident with a period of intense fruit drop. The next phase occurred from the 63rd to the 98th day and showed a rapid dry matter accumulation. Until the 77th day, the main increment in fruit dry matter was due to pericarp and seed growth. Eighty eight percent of the maximum length and 65% of the maximum diameter were reached at the end of this phase. From the 84th until the 98th day after anthesis, fruit growth was determined, basically, by aril. Fruit dimensions and dry matter were stabilized after the 98th day. The commercial harvest of the fruits, characterized by the reddish color of the pericarp, occurred at the 112th day after anthesis. Fruits at the 119th day after anthesis were senescent.

Submitted by Guilherme Lemeszenski (guilherme@nead.unesp.br) on 2013-08-22T18:47:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452005000100026.pdf: 38731 bytes, checksum: 4f3e2794941fdd98e6873591edf50e4a (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2013-08-22T18:47:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 S0100-29452005000100026.pdf: 38731 bytes, checksum: 4f3e2794941fdd98e6873591edf50e4a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-04-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:45:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452005000100026.pdf: 38731 bytes, checksum: 4f3e2794941fdd98e6873591edf50e4a (MD5) S0100-29452005000100026.pdf.txt: 21390 bytes, checksum: 5f9fe4a5622502377c6bd36aa9076813 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-04-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:20:23Z No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452005000100026.pdf: 38731 bytes, checksum: 4f3e2794941fdd98e6873591edf50e4a (MD5) S0100-29452005000100026.pdf.txt: 21390 bytes, checksum: 5f9fe4a5622502377c6bd36aa9076813 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:20:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 S0100-29452005000100026.pdf: 38731 bytes, checksum: 4f3e2794941fdd98e6873591edf50e4a (MD5) S0100-29452005000100026.pdf.txt: 21390 bytes, checksum: 5f9fe4a5622502377c6bd36aa9076813 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-04-01 O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o enraizamento de estacas semilenhosas de lichieira ( Litchi chinensis Sonn.) da cultivar Bengal, empregando ácido indolbutírico (AIB) e sistema de nebulização intermitente. As estacas apicais foram coletadas nos meses de outubro (Primavera), janeiro (Verão) e abril (Outono), acondicionadas adequadamente e transferidas para uma estufa com nebulização intermitente, onde receberam as aplicações de : 0; 1.000; 2.000; 3.000 e 4.000 mg L-1 de AIB, com imersão da base das estacas, durante 10 segundos, e de 200 mg L-1 de AIB, com imersão das bases por 24 horas, em aeração. em seguida, foram colocadas para enraizar em substrato de vermiculita, com casca de arroz carbonizada, na proporção de 1:1. Após 100 dias, foram obtidos os dados referentes à porcentagem de estacas vivas com folhas, porcentagem de estacas enraizadas por parcela, comprimento médio de raiz por estaca enraizada (cm), número médio de raízes formadas por estaca enraizada, massa média da matéria fresca das raízes (g), massa média da matéria seca das raízes(g). Pelos resultados, concluiu-se que não há necessidade da aplicação do AIB para o enraizamento de estacas de lichieira, cultivar Bengal, e que a melhor época de coleta das mesmas é o verão. The objective of the work was to study the rooting of semi-hardwood litchi cuttings (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) of Bengal cultivar using indolbutiric acid (IBA) in an intermittent nebulization system. The apical cuttings were collected in October (spring in Brazil), January (summer) and April (fall). The cuttings were properly arranged and transferred to greenhouse with intermittent mist and treated with 0, 1000, 2000, 3000 and 4000 mg L-1 indolbutiric acid applications, having the cuttings bases been immersed during 10 seconds and with 200 mg L-1 indolbutiric acid application, having the bases been immersed for 24 hours in aeration. They were put to rooting in vermiculite substratum with 1:1 carbonized rice husk. After 100 days, the data referring to live cuttings with leaves percentage, the rooted cuttings percentage for each parcel, average root length per rooted cutting (in centimeters), average number of roots formed per cutting, average weight of the roots fresh matter (in grams) were obtained, average weight of the root dry matter(in grams) were obtained. By the results it was concluded that there is no need of indolbutiric acid for the litchi cuttings, Bengal cultivar rooting and the best time for collecting the cuttings is summer. Unesp FCA Departamento de Produção Vegetal Unesp IB Departamento de Botânica Unesp FCA Departamento de Produção Vegetal Unesp IB Departamento de Botânica

Avaliou-se o comportamento das sementes de lichia após o armazenamento. Utilizou-se de nove tratamentos (0; 1; 3; 5; 7; 9; 11; 13 e 15 dias de armazenamento em câmara de germinação, à temperatura de 10ºC e UR= 80-85%). A semeadura foi realizada em bandejas de poliestireno com substrato composto por Plantmax Hortaliças® + Osmocote® 14-14-14 (5g/L de substrato). A taxa de emergência (E%) e o índice de velocidade de emergência (IVG) das plântulas da testemunha (0 dia de armazenamento) não diferiram significativamente daqueles obtidos nos demais tratamentos. O período de armazenamento das sementes não afetou a taxa de emergência nem o IVE das plântulas de lichia até o limite estudado (15 dias). Lychee seeds were evaluated after different periods of storage. There were nine treatments (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 days of storage in a germination chamber at the temperature of 10ºC and RH = 80-85%). The seeds were sown in polystyrene trays containing Plantmax® growth medium combined with 0.05% of inorganic fertilizer Osmocote®14-14-14. The germination rate (%) and the germination speed index of the seedlings in the control (0 days of storage) didn't differ significantly from the other treatments. The storage period up to 15 days didn't affect either the germination rate or the germination speed index of the lychee seedlings.

Background Litchi has a high commercial value due to its bright color and rich nutrients. However, it deteriorates with the pericarp turning brown within 1–2 days after harvest. The factors that mediate litchi fruit senescence are complicated. MicroRNAs act as negative regulators involved in almost every physiological process. To understand the mechanism of litchi fruit senescence and pericarp browning at the miRNA level, five small RNA libraries and a degradome library prepared from the pericarp of litchi fruit subjected to ambient storage and post-cold storage shelf life were sequenced. Results By aligning the sRNA reads onto the litchi unigene assembly, 296 miRNAs belonging to 49 known miRNA families were first identified from litchi. In addition, 11 litchi-specific miRNAs were identified. Among these, 167 known miRNAs were identified to cleave 197 targets, and three litchi-specific miRNAs were found to have five targets. Through combined analysis of stem-loop quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and transcriptome profiling, 14 miRNA-target pairs were found to be actively involved in litchi fruit senescence-related processes, including energy regulation, anthocyanin metabolism, hormone signaling, and pathogen-infection defense. Conclusions A network of miRNA-targets that regulate litchi fruit senescence has been proposed, revealing the miRNA-mediated regulation in senescent litchi fruit. This will aid in developing new strategies to postpone the senescence of litchi fruit and other horticultural products. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12870-015-0509-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.